Iloilo City (9 January) -- Infrastructure projects led to more jobs and growth in trade, agriculture and tourism.

DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza said as he cited the new Iloilo Airport which is now 97 percent complete and will commence commercial operations in April while the Bacolod (Silay) Airport project is 80 percent complete and is targeted for completion by July 2007.

The government, Mendoza said, would continue to pursue many strategic infrastructure projects this year as it has completed and started many projects last year vital to the countryís economic and social progress.

In a related development, the 210-Megawatt coal-fired Mindanao power plantís importance to spur economic and rural productivity was emphasized by Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla who represented President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the inaugural rites in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.

The 210-MW coal-fired power plant was established by the German-owned STEAG State Power Inc.

During the program Secretary Lotilla said that the President acknowledged the trust and confidence of the STEAG State Power Inc. for their investment in Mindanaoís latest and most modern power plant. The power plantís opening will now complement the Maria Cristina Waterfalls power plant in nearby Iligan City.

Established at a cost of $305 million, the Mindanao power plant secures for the island an additional capacity of up to 210 megawatts and is capable of supplying 15 percent of the islandís power requirement.

Another important project under President Macapagal-Arroyoís Mindanao Natin Program is the inauguration of the P49 Million newly upgraded Indanan-Parang National road in Sulu.

The rehabilitation of the 22-kilometer highway from Jolo to Parang via Indanan will directly benefit the 108, 419 small small farmers and fisherfolks in Indanan and Parang. (PIA)